Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Over 20 Heads of State/Government and representatives from over 100 nations attended the State Funeral.
Almost three months after Shinzo Abe’s demise, today Japan honored him at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years with flowers, prayers, and a 19-gun salute.
World leaders including PM Narendra Modi, US Vice President Kamala Harris, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese attended the ceremony.
At 10.30 am, the state funeral began, and PM Modi joined other world leaders in paying their condolences to former PM Abe. In a gesture of respect, PM Modi, who had earlier referred to Abe as a "friend of India," bowed and placed a small bouquet of white flowers on the altar.
He further took to Twitter to express his remorse and said, “When I was in Tokyo earlier this year, little did I imagine I would be back for the solemn program of former PM Abe’s state funeral. He was a great leader, a phenomenal individual, and someone who believed in India-Japan friendship. He shall live on in the hearts of millions.”
When I was in Tokyo earlier this year, little did I imagine I would be back for the solemn programme of former PM Abe’s state funeral. He was a great leader, a phenomenal individual and someone who believed in India-Japan friendship. He shall live on in the hearts of millions! pic.twitter.com/VwN5iufP6g
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2022
Meanwhile, PM Modi who arrived in Tokyo earlier met up with sitting PM Fumio Kishida and then posted about the same on Twitter.
Had a fruitful meeting with PM Kishida. We discussed various bilateral subjects. I conveyed my condolences on the tragic demise of former PM Shinzo Abe. @kishida230 pic.twitter.com/B46HQ4tbca
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2022
